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Podcast

ABDP podcast features discussions and interviews with dance artists that work with accessibility as a central value in their practice. The podcast is hosted by Rianne Svelnis and co-hosted by members of the company. The aim is to facilitate discussions about artistic practice, access, disability, dance, politics and creative process with artists who we admire and/or are curious about. These conversations took place between 2021-2022, providing snapshots in time of these artists’ lives amid the complexities of global pandemic and world events.

a colourful logo for the All Bodies Dance Project Podcast.

The logo for the All Bodies Dance Project Podcast. Eleven variously sized squares and rectangles make up one larger square. From the top left: "All" in yellow bubble letters on a pink and orange ombre background. "Bodies" in green on pink and purple ombre. A purple star on blue ombre. A blue splatter on pink ombre. A green splatter on purple ombre. "Dance" in purple on green ombre. A purple spiral on blue ombre "Project" in red on yellow/green ombre. "Podcast" in teal on purple ombre. Three blue splatters on green ombre. A pink comb shape on green ombre. The impression is bright, fun, happy.]

Episode 1:   

A portrait of Giuseppe Comuniello with the text Not more time but different time.

A photo of Giuseppe Comuniello (he/him), a man with light skin, long brown hair, and brown eyes wearing black clothing reaches out his hand towards the viewer with a look of intense connection and questioning on his face. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 01 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: Not more time but different time with Guiseppe Comuniello.

Recorded in January 2021.

Episode Summary: A conversation with blind Italian dance artist Giuseppe Comuniello hosted by Rianne Svelnis with Carolina Bergonzoni.

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Episodes  2

A portrait of Nadia Adame with the title What is Dance to You?

A photo of Nadia Adame (she/her), a woman with light skin, blue eyes, and red-brown hair wearing a blue sleeveless shirt smiles warmly into the camera. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 02 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: What is Dance to You? With Nadia Adame.

Episode Summary:

Our conversation with Nadia touches on the multiplicity of her practice as a dance artist, actor, writer, filmmaker and mother, her international perspective on integrated dance and company models, and her reflections on virtuosity, storytelling, and collaboration. *Since this recording Nadia has taken on a new role as the new Artistic Director of Axis Dance

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Episodes 3

A portrait of Alice Sheppard with the title The Virtuosity is in the Waiting.

A photo of Alice Sheppard (she/her), a multiracial black woman with light brown skin, brown eyes, and brown corkscrew curls partly dyed red, yellow and blond. Alice is wearing makeup including pink lipstick, and a colourful beaded necklace. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 03 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: The Virtuosity is in the Waiting. With Alice Sheppard.

Episode Summary:

This rich conversation speaks to community connections, Alice’s research of flying on stage, the intricacies of care, boundaries and virtuosity, and confronting spectacle, inclusion and representation.

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Episodes 4

A portrait of Vanessa Cruz with the title The Root of it is interdependence.

A black and white photo of Vanessa Cruz (she/her), a woman with light brown skin wearing makeup whose face peeks our from a piece of translucent white fabric. She is looking up with a contemplative expression. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 04 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: The Root of it is Interdependence. With Vanessa Cruz.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Vanessa tells us about moving through institutional dance education alongside her mobility device Pluto, her rigorous learning in community organizing and solidarity work, and the myriad of forms, aesthetics, and culture that show up in her artistic process.

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Episodes 5

Rianne and Lance with the title Dance is Movement, Movement is Life

A photo of Lance Lim (he/him) and Rianne Svelnis (she/her) on a yellow background. Lance is an Asian man with light brown skin and short black hair wearing black clothing and sitting in his power chair. Rianne has light skin and brown hair and is wearing black clothing with fingernails painted neon green. They are leaning into each other and smiling, happy to be together. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 05 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: Dance is Movement, Movement is Life. With Lance Lim and the Carnegie All Bodies Dancers.

Episode summary: This interview with Lance is full of beautiful, funny and challenging stories about growing up in Strathcona, Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside, and how the changing shape of those neighbourhoods is part of his and his community's identity. We also hear about Lance's journey in martial arts training at the SFU dance program, and how he has come to be an integral part of the All Bodies Dance community.

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Episodes 6

A portrait of Janpistar with the title What I feel inside is what makes me move.

A photo of JanpiStar (they/them), a person with light brown skin and a shaved head wearing a black tank top and bright teal pants, sitting in their manual wheelchair and smiling into the camera. The All Bodies Dance logo in on the bottom left and the number 06 indicating the episode is on the bottom right. Text: What I Feel Inside is What Makes Me Move. With JanpiStar.

Episode Summary: This beautiful conversation takes us to so many places. We hear about how virtual dance classes, technology and dancing at home have expanded access to dance for so many; how JanpiStar’s artistic practice is shaped by growing up in Puerto Rico and the impact of the hurricane disaster; the importance of radical gender expression, beauty and weirdness in the art of drag; and how empowerment through performance and creative energy is a foundation of JanpiStar’s way of life

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